Garment hanger hardware

ABSTRACT

METAL SADDLE TOPPED WITH A DEEP T FOR USE WITH GARMENT HANGERS IS FABRICATED BY JOINING IDENTICAL HALVES IN BUTTING RELATIONSHIP. THIS HARDWARE IS PARTICULARLY USEFUL IN MAINTAINING POSITION OF A GARMENT ONCE HUNG, AND PREVENTS TWISTING OF THE HANGER. IN A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT GARMENT HANGERS IMPROVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS INVENTION ARE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN ELONGATED FLAT BOTTOMED CHANNEL HAVING U-SHAPED CROSS SECTION AND HAVING A T-SHAPED SLOT IN A SIDE WALL OF THE ELONGATED CHANNEL, WITH THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE T SLOT EXTENDING ACROSS THE BOTTOM OF THE CHANNEL PERPENDICULARLY TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE CHANNEL TO PERMIT ENTRY OF THE HARDWARE INTO THE U-SHAPED CHANNEL INTERIOR TO RESIDE ON THE BOTTOM THEREOF.

Sept. 21, 1971 H. D. STRANG GARMENT HANGER HARDWARE Filed June 16, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 my yE/v r01? HERMAN 0. STRANG eyfiuao, (M ovfiuw Attorneys p 21, 1971 H. D. STRANG 3,606,948

GARMENT HANGER HARDWARE Filed Jun 16, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WWW/m smm H Tam 7 WWI W r w QM w United States Patent 3,606,948 GARMENT HANGER HARDWARE Herman D. Strang, 308 Ridge St., Algonquin, Ill. 60102 Filed June 16, 1969, Ser. No. 833,271

Int. Cl. Eb 69/00 US. Cl. 211-4 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Metal saddle topped with a deep T for use with garment hangers is fabricated by joining identical halves in butting relationship. This hardware is particularly useful in maintaining position of a garment once hung, and prevents twisting of the hanger. In a preferred embodiment garment hangers improved in accordance with this invention are used in conjunction with an elongated flat bottomed channel having U-shaped cross section and having a T-shaped slot in a side wall of the elongated channel, with the bottom portion of the T slot extending across the bottom of the channel perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the channel to permit entry of the hardware into the U-shaped channel interior to reside on the bottom thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improved garment hardware and improved garment hanging racks. A serious shortcoming of garment hangers heretofore available, particularly those involving a rod from which a large number of hook-topped hangers are suspended, is the fact that the articles can be moved laterally causing a change in the relative position of garments as additional garments are placed on the rod. Various structures have been suggested for limiting the lateral movement of hung garments, but, generally speaking, the means for accomplishing this desirable result have been cumbersome and expensive. It is an object of this invention to provide relatively inexpensive hardware improving garment hangers and garment hanging racks, which hardware makes it impossible to move hung garments laterally. This hardware is therefore particularly useful for use in conjunction with coin-operated coat check racks and is also particularly useful in fine garment shops for formal presentation of merchandise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, a metal saddle having a deep T top is provided by joining together identical halves, each half having a cross section resembling a long stemmed question mark. Thus, in accordance with this invention, the basic component required in order to achieve the relatively complex shape is conveniently fabricated by making relatively simple bends in a single flat metal piece.

In a preferred embodiment the hanger hardware described immediately above is used in conjunction with a flat bottomed, elongated U-shaped channel having a plurality of T slots in the side wall thereof, extending to the bottom, said slots extending a suflicient distance across the bottom of the U-shaped channel to'permit complete entry of the hanger hardware into the slots to permit the hardware to rest on the bottom of the U-shaped channel. By extending the slots part way across the bottom of the U-shaped channel, the hanger hits a stop, and by placing the T-shaped slot in the side wall of the U-shaped channel the garment cannot be inadvertently withdrawn from the channel, since the hanger must be elevated slightly from the bottom of the channel in order for the cross pieces of the T of the hanger hard- Patented Sept. 21, 1971 ware to pass through the wide portion of the T slot in the channel side wall.

DESIGNATION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of hanger hardware in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational fragmentary view showing the details of the hardware illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevational cross-sectional view taken approximately along the line of 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an elevational cross-sectional view taken approximately along the line 33 of FIG. 2 showing only the identical halves which constitute the basic component of the hardware of this invention, said halves being shown spaced apart from each other.

FIG. 5 is an elevational fragmentary view showing a portion of a coin operating garment checking rack utilizing the improved hanger hardware of this invention.

FIG. 6 is an elevational cross-sectional fragmentary view taken approximately along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a U-shaped channel containing T-shaped slots in the side wall thereof, and linear slots in the bottom thereof in accordance with this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In accordance with this invention, a garment hanger generally 10 supports garment 12 in a suitable supporting structure 14, 14'. Hanger hardware generally 15 having a saddle-shaped portion 17 and deep T-shaped upper portion 19 is fabricated by joining two identical halves or components, generally 20, by some suitable means such as spot welding. Each half, therefore, includes butting portion 21, perferably flat, having outwardly extending flange 23 at the top and outwardly extending flange 25 at the bottom. Dependent from bottom flange 25 is plate portion 27 preferably fitted with holes (not shown) to permit passage of fastening means such as screws 29 therethru. Butting portions 21 of two identical halves 20 are brought into butting relationship so that top flanges 23, extending in opposite directions, form cross bar 31 of the T-shaped portion '19 of hardware 15. These identical halves are joined by some suitable means e.g., by spot welds 33. Assembled hanger hardware, generally 15, is used in conjunction with a non-metallic hanger component, for example, wooden arms 35. In a preferred embodiment arms 35 are brought into butting relation at ends 37 and are secured to each other by suitable means such as corrugated fasteners 39. The thus joined arms are then placed within saddle portion 17 of hanger hardware 15 and are secured thereto by suitable means such as screws 29.

Hanger generally 10 is supported by any suitable support structure e.g., 14, 14', having a bottom slit 41 through which vertical butting portion 21 can pass, and which includes flanges 43 at either side thereof to engage and support cross-arm 31 of hanger hardware 15.

In a preferred embodiment, however a plurality of hangers in accordance with this invention are suspended from a single elongated support member, generally 45 having a cross-sectional L, or U-shaped configuration with a vertical side wall 47 and generally flat horizontal bottom 49. A plurality of T-shaped slots 51 are formed through sidewall 47. Preferably, horizontal portion 53 of T slot 51 is positioned somewhat elevated from bottom 49 of elongated support, generally 45. The vertical portion of T-shaped slot 51 extends to the very bottom surface 55 of bottom 49. A horizontal slot 57 in bottom 49 extends transversely across bottom 49 from the lowermost portion of the vertical portion 54 of T slot 51. Slot 57 extends a sufficient distance across bottom 49 to permit crossarm 31 of hanger hardware, generally 15 to com pletely enter the interior 60 of the support member, that is, the region behind sidewall 47. In a preferred embodiment, slot 57 terminates in bottom 49 at such a point that hanger hardware, generally 15 is oriented in substantially a straight line with similar components elsewhere on the support structure, generally 45. Slot 57 should be narrow enough to prevent substantial twisting of hanger, generally 10, when supported in support structures 14, 45 and yet should be wide enough to prevent binding of vertical members 21 of hanger hardware. It is noted that in the illustrated embodiment horizontal portions 53 of T slot 51 is elevated from bottom 49 a sufficient distance to prevent sliding of hanger hardware, generally 15, out of slot 57 accidentally. Thus, in order to remove hanger hardware, generally 15, from engagement with support structure 45 it is necessary to partially elevate hanger hardware, generally 15, to bring crossarm 31 into alignment with horizontal portion 53 of T slot 51. It is manifest from a considerationof the drawings that garments supported in adjacent slots cannot be moved sideways to change relative position on the supporting structure 45.

One area in which the improved garment hanging apparatus of this invention is utilized is in conjunction with coin-operated coat checking structure 61, for example those described in my US. patent application Ser. No. 792,923, filed an. 22, 1969. As illustrated in FIGS. and 6, herein, elongated support structure 45 is secured to such coat checking structures by suitable means for example by welding extending flanges 62 to bottom 64 of lock-coin enclosure 66. In this embodiment, it is preferred that bottom 49 of elongated structure 45 also include openings 68 through which chains 69 can pass to be secured to elongated structure 45 by passage of rod 71 through end links 72 thereof. In accordance with this use of the preferred embodiment of this invention, one set of chains and one T slot is provided in horizontal support structure 45 below each individual lock unit, generally 73. Thus, a patron utilizing the coat checking apparatus, generally 61,, upon returning to the apparatus to retrieve his garment will generally immediately recognize the garment and, because of its fixed positioning below a particular individual lock mechanism 73 will be spared the inconvenience of trying several locks 75, of tracing chain 69" from garment 12' to its respective lock set 73 or of comparing serial numbers on the key and lock. Thus as a consequence of the adoption of the improvement of this invention on garment checking equipment 61, the overall use, enjoyment, and benefit, achieved in garment checking structures, generally 61, is substantially improved. The details of the use and operation of garment checking structure 61 are not provided herein since they are described in my previous cited applications herein before.

Another area in which the improved garment hanging hardware of this invention is advantageously utilized is in the formal display and merchandising of the fine garments. Another area in which the advantages of the improved apparatus of this invention are particularly enjoyed are garment hanging stations in dressing rooms such as those used in conjunction with theatrical productions and fashion shows in which it is important that changes for a large number of individuals are accurately and quickly located.

Consideration of the design features disclosed herein by those skilled in the manufacture of metal articles will lead to an appreciation of the great economy achieved by this invention. Thus, hanger hardware generally is fabricated from a single component 20, for example, by spot Welding butting portions 21 together. Moreover, elongated supporting structure 45 is readily and economically manufactured from flat metal stock of suitable width by first punching holes corresponding to T slots 51 and bottom slots 57 as single perforations therethru, and also punching chain openings 68 therethru prior to making a bend in the flat metal stock U or L-shaped cross section thereof. It is noted that the bend which provides lower front corner 77 is made through an elongated slot so that in fact vertical portion 54, T slot 51, and sidewall 47 is formed at the same time horizontal slot 57 and bottom 49 is formed. It Will be thus appreciated that in accordance with this invention extremely complex shapes and structures are fabricated simply and economically using relatively simple, generally available metal working equipment. By securing chains to elongated channel member 45 by passing rod 71 therethru, much expense is saved in fastening chains 69 to garment checking equipment 61. It is noted that rod 71 is trapped within elongated member 45 after member 45 is welded in place, because of the presence of end plate 78 at each end of elongated member 45. However, rod 71 can be fixed to elongated member 45 by any suitable conventional means e.g., by welding (not shown because conventional). Even if rod 71 is welded to elongated member 45, this method of attaching chains 69 to coat checking apparatus 61 saves much time, and hence labor expense.

I claim:

1. In a garment security apparatus having a laterally extending horizontal row of security elements, each of said elements including garment retainer means for supporting and securing a garment, said garment retainer means comprising a garment hanger having cross arms, means for supporting the garment hanger with said cross arms extending frontwardly and backwardly with respect to said apparatus, a chain attached at one end to said apparatus, and corresponding individual lock means, the improvement in which the garment retainer means includes a frame channel member secured to the apparatus and extending laterally across the apparatus, which frame channel member has slot means including a slot beneath each of said individual lock means for receiving and supporting an individual hanger beneath each of said lock means, said channel member including a plurality of individual chain openings sized for passing an end link of chain therethrough, each of said individual chain openings being positioned beneath a respective lock means, said chain in each element having an end link passing through a respective chain opening, elongated latch means within said channel member for passing through and retaining said end link which passes through said chain opening in said channel member; said garment hanger being adapted to be supported in said slot and comprising metal hardware and non-metallic garment-supporting cross arms; said hardware comprising two elongated identical hardware halves secured together on a plane of symmetry at vertical butt portions thereof, said butt portions having laterally extending flanges at the top thereof, said butt portions and said flanges forming a T for supporting the hanger; the middle of the cross arms being positioned at and secured to said hardware; said slot being narrow enough to prevent substantial twisting of the hanger.

2. The improvement of claim 1 in which the elongated latch means is a rod.

3. In a garment security apparatus having a laterally extending horizontal row of security elements, each of said elements including garment retainer means for supporting and securing a garment, said garment retainer means comprising a garment hanger, means for supporting said garment hanger, a chain secured at one end thereof to said apparatus and respective individual lock means for each of said chains, the improvement in which: the garment retainer means includes a frame plate member secured to the apparatus, and extending laterally across the apparatus, which plate member includes a plurality of individual chain openings sized for passing an end link of said chain therethrough, each of said individual chain openings being positioned substantially below a respective individual lock means, said chain having an end link thereof passing through a respective chain opening in said plate member from one side thereof, and elongated latch means positioned on the other side of said plate passing through and retaining each of said end links which pass through said chain openings.

4. The improvement of claim 3 in which the elongated latch means is a rod.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Bracken 211-94 2,489,164 11/ 1949 Shwayder 21194X 2,606,666 8/1952 Gray '211-94.5X 2,655,424 10/ 1953 OConnor 2114X 3,189,313 6/1965 Burns 16-93X 5 3,457,677 7/1969 Ziegler 16-93X FOREIGN PATENTS 427,264 4/ 1935 Great Britain 16-93 467,681 9/1952 Italy 312321 0 ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner A. FRANKEL, Assistant Examiner U.S. c1. X.R. 

